Dunnage bag arrangement

Abstract

The invention discloses a dunnage bag arrangement for securing loads, includes an inflatable dunnage bag having a gastight inflatable bladder; and a hanger member connected to the dunnage bag and adapted to being supported on top of loads and adapted to support the dunnage bag in a void between loads. The dunnage bag includes a reinforcing sleeve made of at least one material ply, the sleeve having a first opening and a second opening, and the sleeve being folded and sealed and/or stitched to close off at least one of the openings.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A method for securing a first load and a second load with a dunnage bag arrangement comprising a deformable support connected to a dunnage bag, the method comprising:
 positioning the support on the first load and the second load so the support extends across a void between the first load and the second load and suspends the dunnage bag at least partially within the void; and 
 inflating the dunnage bag so the dunnage bag expands and contacts the first and second loads, thereby causing the support to deform. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dunnage bag comprises a sleeve and an inflatable bladder within the sleeve, wherein inflating the dunnage bag comprises inflating the inflatable bladder so the sleeve contacts the first and second loads. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a first wing member and a second wing member, wherein positioning the support on the first load and the second load comprises positioning the first wing member on the first load and the second wing member on the second load. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein positioning the first wing member on the first load and the second wing member on the second load further comprises positioning first portions of the first and second wing members on the first and second loads, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein positioning the first wing member on the first load and the second wing member on the second load further comprises positioning second portions of the first and second wing members above the void. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein inflating the dunnage bag causes the second portions of the wing members to move into the void. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 3 , wherein positioning the first wing member on the first load and the second wing member on the second load further comprises positioning the first wing member on the first load and not on the second load and positioning the second wing member on the second load and not the first load. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second wing members are parallel to one another before the dunnage bag has been inflated. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second wing members are not parallel to one another after the dunnage bag has been inflated. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second wing members are rigid. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein inflating the dunnage bag causes the support to deform so at least part of the support moves toward the void. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dunnage bag arrangement further comprises a hanger member connecting the support to the dunnage bag. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the hanger member is rigid. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removing the hanger member from the dunnage bag after the dunnage bag has been inflated.